However, Hodson warned that couples need to ensure they are playing safe. “If you’re used to having unprotected sex with your main partner it may be difficult to regain the condom habit when you have sex with others," he said. “This isn’t to suggest that such risks can’t be managed – clearly some couples do this very well, but it’s a challenge which requires excellent communication, honesty and trust to meet.”

 

Not everyone in the survey saw open relationships in a positive light. Men currently part of a monogomous couple often saw open relationships as bad. 33% said open relationships were not real relationships. 

 

Ian Howley, editor of FS magazine, argued that open relationships should not be judged. “If we can break down the stigma and stereotyping of open relationships, then gay men who are in monogamous relationships and may be thinking about having sex with someone who is not their partner, might be more open to having an honest talk with their partner about their needs and desires.

 

“If you’ve made fidelity the foundation of your love it can lead to partners not being entirely honest about what’s going on outside of the marital bed – and that’s when the risks start getting serious.”

 

Contrary to what Howley says, fidelity as a foundation of a relationship is neither a good nor a bad thing. It is up to both individuals to work out what they feel is right and go from there. 

 

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